Title
The Devil's Music Master: The Controversial Life and Career of Wilhelm Furtwangler,Used
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From 1922 until his death in 1954, Wilhelm Furtwngler was the foremost cultural music figure of the Germanspeaking world, conductor of both the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras. But a cloud still hangs over his reputation, despite his undeniable brilliance as a musician, because of a fatal and tragic decision. Wilhelm Furtwngler remained in Germany when thousands of intellectuals and artists fled after the Nazis seized power in 1933. His decision to stay behind earned him lasting condemnation as a Nazi collaborator'The Devil's Music Master.' Decades after his death, Furtwngler remains for many not only the greatest but also the most controversial musical personality of our time.In The Devil's Music Master, Sam H. Shirakawa forges the first fulllength and comprehensive biography of Furtwngler. He surveys Furtwngler's formative years as a difficult but brilliant prodigy, his rise to preeminence as Germany's leading conductor, and his development as a musician, composer, and thinker. Shirakawa also reviews the rich recorded legacy Furtwngler documented throughout his fortyyear careersuch as the legendary Tristan with Kirsten Flagstad and the famous performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1942 and 1951.Equally important, Shirakawa goes backstage and behind the lines to explore how the Nazis seized control of the arts and how Furtwngler singlehandedly tried to prevent evil characters as Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels and Luftwaffe Chief Hermann Gring from annihilating Germany's musical life. He shows how Furtwngler, far from being a toady to the Nazis, stood up openly against Hitler and Himmlerat enormous personal riskto salvage the musical traditions of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Shirakawa also presents moving and overwhelming evidence of Furtwngler's astonishing efforts to save the lives of Jews and other persecuted individuals trapped in Nazi Germanyonly to be proscribed at the end of the war and nearly framed as a war criminal.But there was more to Furtwngler than his politics, or even his music, and we come to know this extraordinary man as a reluctant composer, a prolific essayist and diary keeper, a loyal friend, a formidable enemy when crossed, and an incorrigible philanderer. Numerous musical luminaries share their memories of Furtwngler to round out this vivid portrait.Based on dozens of interviews and research in numerous documents, letters, and diaries, many of them previously unpublished, The Devil's Music Master is an indepth look at the life and times of a unique personality whose fatal flaw lay in his uncompromising belief that music and art must be kept apart from politics, a conviction that transformed him into a tragic figure.
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- Q: What is 'The Devil's Music Master' about? A: 'The Devil's Music Master' is a comprehensive biography of Wilhelm Furtwängler, exploring his life as a leading conductor in the German-speaking world, his controversial decisions during the Nazi regime, and his efforts to preserve musical traditions.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Devil's Music Master'? A: The book is authored by Sam H. Shirakawa, who conducted extensive research and interviews to present a detailed portrait of Furtwängler's life and career.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Devil's Music Master' have? A: 'The Devil's Music Master' contains 544 pages, providing an in-depth look at the life and legacy of Wilhelm Furtwängler.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is available in hardcover, offering durability and a high-quality feel for readers.
- Q: When was 'The Devil's Music Master' published? A: 'The Devil's Music Master' was published on July 2, 1992.
- Q: Is 'The Devil's Music Master' a first edition? A: Yes, this book is a first edition, providing readers with the original insights and research by the author.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'The Devil's Music Master'? A: The book explores themes of music, politics, moral choices, and the impact of the Nazi regime on artists, particularly focusing on Furtwängler's controversial decisions during that time.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from 'The Devil's Music Master'? A: Readers can expect to learn about Wilhelm Furtwängler's musical genius, his life experiences, his struggles with the Nazi regime, and his contributions to music and culture.
- Q: Are there any notable performances discussed in the book? A: Yes, the book reviews Furtwängler's renowned performances, including his interpretations of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the legendary Tristan featuring Kirsten Flagstad.
- Q: Is 'The Devil's Music Master' suitable for readers unfamiliar with classical music? A: Yes, 'The Devil's Music Master' is written for a general audience, making it accessible to readers who may not have a deep understanding of classical music.